Nghe An: Abundant Tet goods, increased purchasing power.
(Baonghean) - The Lunar New Year is fast approaching, and consumer demand is currently increasing. Baonghean newspaper interviewed Ms. Vo Thi An, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, about the market situation, supply and demand, and prices of some essential food items at the beginning of 2018.
PV:Could you give a preliminary assessment of the market price situation in the province during the month leading up to the Lunar New Year?
Comrade Vo Thi An:January, the month leading up to the Lunar New Year in 2018, saw a surge in the provincial market, with both the volume of goods and purchases increasing by approximately 20% compared to the previous month. The consumer price index (CPI) in January 2018 increased by nearly 2% compared to December 2017, and by 2.58% compared to the same period last year.
The main reasons for the increase in the CPI this month are the upward adjustment of healthcare services at public medical facilities in the province, in accordance with the roadmap stipulated in Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT, which pushed the price of medicines and medical services up by nearly 22%.
Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in January 2018 were estimated at VND 5,306 billion, an increase of 9.6% compared to January 2017, of which total retail sales of goods were estimated at VND 4,344 billion, an increase of 8.97% compared to January 2017.
Thus, based on consumer demand in the months before, during, and after the Lunar New Year, the purchasing power of goods increases by about 30-40% compared to other months.
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| A wide variety of Tet (Lunar New Year) goods are available in the market. Photo: VP |
Comrade Vo Thi An:Essential consumer goods, including food, livestock, and poultry, see a sharp increase in price during Tet.
Regarding food, the consumption demand in the area is approximately 26,000 tons per month. The main supply for consumption in Vinh City comes from distributors, the network of stores of key suppliers, and businesses in markets. In rural areas, people mainly consume rice they produce themselves, accounting for about 40% of the province's total consumption. In general, rice prices are stable due to abundant supply. However, a slight increase in rice prices is predicted before and after the Lunar New Year, focusing on specialty rice and high-quality glutinous rice. The increase is insignificant due to the abundant supply of locally produced rice and rice from the South.
Regarding livestock and poultry meat, consumer demand is approximately 6,000 tons of live meat per month, with demand expected to reach 9,000 tons during the Tet holiday. The total production of chicken, duck, pork, and beef from businesses, cooperatives, and households in the province supplies 10,000 tons of commercial meat per year, meeting most of the market's meat consumption.
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| A price-stabilized retail outlet in Dien Hong commune, Dien Chau district, operated by Nam Long Company. Photo: Viet Phuong |
Besides essential goods serving the people's consumption needs, during the Lunar New Year, consumer demand also focuses on traditional items such as confectionery, soft drinks, etc. Approximately 400 tons of various types of confectionery are consumed during Tet.
PV:Based on the market situation and the actual production and business activities in the province, in order to promptly stabilize the market before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of Mau Tuat 2018 in the province, what plans has the Department of Industry and Trade made to prepare goods for the Lunar New Year, Comrade?
Comrade Vo Thi An:To promptly stabilize the market before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of Mau Tuat, the Department of Industry and Trade proposed to the Provincial People's Committee the stockpiling of essential goods for the 2018 Lunar New Year. Accordingly, three items were stockpiled with a total value of 68.5 billion VND, including: 2,500 tons of white rice; 100 tons of glutinous rice; and 1.2 million liters of cooking oil.
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| Market management officials inspect and control goods circulating in the market. Photo: Viet Phuong |
In addition to the price-stabilized goods already assigned, businesses are encouraged to explore other product lines to participate in market stabilization and provide consumers with more choices.
In addition to businesses participating in the interest rate support program, the Provincial People's Committee encourages businesses in the area to register for the program, such as BigC supermarket, Mega Market, Intimex, Huong Giang,... and distributors, stores, and agents throughout the province.
Seven businesses receive interest rate subsidies for stockpiling goods for Tet (Lunar New Year).
(Baonghean.vn) - On December 8th, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document agreeing to the proposal from the Department of Industry and Trade regarding interest rate support for bank loans to purchase three reserve items for the 2017 Lunar New Year.
Comrade Vo Thi An:Currently, most localities have price-stabilized stalls. In the city – an area with high consumer demand – there are currently 11 price-stabilized sales points; and dozens of mobile sales vehicles operating in districts and towns. Recently, we organized working groups to inspect the preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) goods to meet the needs of the people in 13 districts and towns. Basically, the districts have done quite well in implementing the Directive of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Directive of the Provincial People's Committee on strengthening management and operation to stabilize market prices and ensure social order and safety during the 2018 Lunar New Year. In these localities, the working groups also inspected several gas stations, supermarkets, and markets. This was to check the supply of goods during Tet, the implementation schedule for selling E5 bioethanol fuel, and the public display of prices.
Regarding market management during the year-end period, the Department of Industry and Trade noted that districts should focus on inspection and strictly handle cases of violations of food safety and hygiene, smuggling, and commercial fraud, especially counterfeit, imitation, and substandard goods; and prevent speculation, hoarding, and stockpiling for illicit profit. On this occasion, we also request that localities focus on promoting the campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods".
PV:Thank you, comrade!
